Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Dirk John Vlug

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Greenwood Cemetery
X-203

Born:August 20, 1916 at Maple Lake, MN

Entered
Service in the US Army from Grand Rapids, MI

Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism December
15, 1944 at Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands

Died:June
25, 1996 at the age of 79

When an
American roadblock on the Ormoc Road was attacked by a group of
enemy tanks, Private First Class Vlug left his covered position,
and with a rocket launcher and six rounds of ammunition,
advanced alone under intense machinegun and 37-mm fire. Loading
single-handedly, he destroyed the first tank, killing its
occupants with a single round. As the crew of the second tank
started to dismount and attack him, he killed one of the foe
with his pistol, forcing the survivors to return to their
vehicle, which he then destroyed with a second round. Three more
hostile tanks moved up the road, so he flanked the first and
eliminated it, and then, despite a hail of enemy fire, pressed
forward again to destroy another. With his last round of
ammunition he struck the remaining vehicle, causing it to crash
down a steep embankment. Through his sustained heroism in the
face of superior forces, Private First Class Vlug alone
destroyed five enemy tanks and greatly facilitated successful
accomplishment of his battalion's mission.